Thanks, Ailsa!

At the moment I'm training Esau myself, but owner-trained assistance dogs are not able to be registered in this country, sadly, no matter how well-behaved they are, or how vital to their owner's well-being.

If I want him to be registered I have no choice but to send him away to Support Dogs, the only charity in the UK who train owners' own pets. This is 4-5 weeks with them (he'll be 'fostered' while he's there), then I am resident with him for a further 3 weeks, along with my 'carer' (my OH . . which means I have to find a babysitter for my kids for 3 weeks. As both mine and my OH's parents have health issues we can't ask them, and 3 weeks is a bit much to ask a 'friend' to have them!). It also means he has to be neutered before undergoing the training; as his breeder is interested in showing/breeding him, I'm reluctant to do this.

So I think he will end up being an unregistered assistance dog - plus a very happy, much loved family pet, maybe a show-boy and maybe a Dad himself one day!! In the meantime I just hope that one day there is a national 'test' that owner-trained assistance dogs can undergo in order to become registered.

It's a shame he can't be registered, but well done to him and you for all your hard work together, what a special boy.

You hear so oftne, tales of exceptional doggy braveness/courage/ acts of devotion, but every day out there, there are dogs doing those special things for people day in and day out. Just like your boy...all I can say is...:smt041 :smt041 :smt041 :smt041 :smt041 :smt041
well done them.
Axxxxxxxx

there are some truly spectacular dogs out there. The most amazing thing Suki does is save me from washing socks - she steals and eats them!!

Clever thing Suki is too, and how considerate is that?!!!!!

Our first guide dog pup was good at that one too...and still is according to his new owner, perhaps Suki has missed her calling?!!!!

Aww, thanks Ailsa! Esau is giving you a big bashful grin, now.

What a great thread and stories of some amazing dogs.

I will never get over the search and rescue dogs at 9/11, there was a website dedicated to them for a while. The dogs worked tirelessly even though there were only bodies to find, rather than live people Apparently many of the dogs became depressed afterward too, but it didn't stop them searching for hours and hours on end.

Loved reading about Endal, Allen - a true hero.

Hi All - I've moved Allen and Endal's posts into a dedicated thread which you can find here: http://www.dogsey.com/showthread.php?t=42064

PONlady - I wish you luck with your training... training a puppy is hard work enough but specialised training like this must be a long and difficult process so my wishes are with you (although it sounds as if you are well on your way already )

I think dogs generally have a sixth sense when it comes to how people are feeling and illneses etc.

If I am sad Snoop will come and put his head on my lap and snuggle into me. If I am ill (as unfortunately I quite often am) Snoop will come and sit with me, if I move, he follows. If I am really bad he will sleep on my bed and not move at all. When I have come out of hospital a few times he has not left my side until I am up and about again but is very careful about where he puts himself. When I am up and about again he follows me around to make sure I am ok, even to the point of waiting outside the bathroom door! I love him to pieces and dont know what I would do without him

Also, my parents have a really nice man next door to them who has a not so nice visitor. He's quite an abusive and nasty man and both my parents and I have had a run in with him. Snoop somehow senses him coming and starts growling before we even see him... I guess its like some sort of warning. Its the only time he has ever growled because he wouldnt ever hurt anyone or anything, its just not him.

I often wonder how he came to be such a good and great dog (my family and friends opinions and I must say I agree!), and people often ask us how we did it... I simply dont know and I think it has a lot to do with him and his personality because we trained him ourselves and we didnt have any help from anyone at all (we couldnt afford proper training classes for him after just having had our previous dog put to sleep after a sudden unexpected illness). I hope Honey turns out to be the same when she grows up

Oh dear, I seem to have gone on a bit... sorry

Snoop sounds really lovely and a true credit to you. Ax

Aww, thank you Ailsa1